Can Using A Gua Sha Tool On The Scalp Help Promote Hair Growth?

One of the buzziest trends of the past year was probably using a gua sha stone for face slimming , with Instagram influencers showing a more chiseled jawline and cheekbones after using the little (often green) tool. 

You most likely already have one — but if you weren’t aware of what they are — a gua sha tool is a manual, smooth-edged beauty device that’s popular in traditional Chinese medicine. In popular beauty, they’re often made out of jade (hence the green color). According to the Cleveland Clinic, the use of a gua sha device can promote circulation and reduce puffiness and inflammation in the face.

Because gua sha can be beneficial for improving blood circulation, you may be wondering  if it could also be able the key to natural  hair growth — since studies have shown that improved blood circulation to the scalp can affect growth of the hair. Keep reading to see what New York board-certified dermatologist and L’Oréal Paris consultant Dr. Erin Gilbert has to say about this, and what else can be used to promote hair growth.

Can A Gua Sha Help Hair Growth? 

It makes sense to connect the dots on gua sha and hair growth, especially when it comes to blood circulation. If more blood circulation to the scalp equals hair growth, then a gua sha massager can only be helpful right? According to Gilbert, it isn’t that simple. 

When it comes to perceived hair growth, Gilbert says that it can be overgeneralized. “One has to take into consideration whether the reduction in hair growth is an actual reduction in growth or an increase in hair damage,” she says. 

massage can increase the microcirculation of nutrient-rich blood to scalp tissue, she explains, but not all of those nutrients can benefit the scalp. “Key nutrients can make hair grow faster, strengthen the hair and improve its shine and luster,” she says. “But the delivery of stress hormones, for example, can worsen hair loss.”

Because of this, and also the fact there have been no peer-reviewed studies examining the relationship between gua sha and hair growth, Gilbert says that it can be hard to determine if one affects the other. 

What Can You Use For Hair Growth?  

Since it’s tough to prove that using gua sha on the scalp can make your hair grow, it might not be the best method if you’re looking for something tried and true. But, don’t worry, there are tons of options available to you if you want to grow your hair. Here are some of our favorites.

Seed/Herb Oils

A common and easy to use option, many oils promote hair growth. Gilbert recommends pumpkin seed oil, which she says was shown to “increase hair count in men by 40 percent.” She also cites peppermint and rosemary oils as examples that have been proven to increase hair growth — and research backs this up. According to a study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, rosemary oil was found to have similar effects to minoxidil, which is a commonly prescribed hair growth treatment. Gilbert suggests mixing them in your shampoo.

Caffeine 

You probably didn’t think that your morning coffee could give you a longer mane, but it turns out that it can. According to Gilbert, “caffeine increases microcirculation and stimulates hair growth.” 

A Repairing Hair Care System

As Gilbert mentioned above, it’s hard to determine whether the hair just isn’t growing or if there is simply an increase in damage. Because of this, you want to make sure you’re using hair care products that can protect and repair breakage so that your hair can retain its length. We like the Elvive Dream Lengths line, which is formulated to reduce damage and protect the hair. The products contain castor oil, which is a popular ingredient that gives hair increased shine.

Reach for  the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Restoring Shampoo for Long, Damaged Hair and follow up with the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths No Haircut Cream Leave In Conditioner to seal in split ends. 

Next: How to Keep Your Scalp Healthy and Protected This Summer

Written by: Shannon Stubbs, Photo Credit: Chaunte Vaughn